Collapse Iron Live Broadcast Connects All Worlds, Scares Wuzhan Away at the Beginning Chapter 209

「“The condition is that she should have a day of freedom before the trial, to meet with old friends in Scalegorge Waterscape—and what’s even more outrageous is that Jing Yuan actually agreed!”」

「“The task he entrusted to us before his departure was to accompany Jingliu to spend her last day on the Luofu. You understand now, this isn’t really about receiving a distinguished guest, but escorting a prisoner—”」

「Qingzu suddenly paused, and like her, Danheng noticed the air around them had grown cold.」

「“Imbibitor Lunae, you’ve come.” Jingliu didn’t turn her head, still speaking calmly, “Since you’re here, why not come forward and reminisce?”」

「“…Or should I call you by your current name, Danheng?”」

——

Demon Slayer.

“Such a strong sense of oppression, this woman…”

Inside the Infinity Castle, Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, his six demon eyes suddenly contracted. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning pale due to excessive force.

That chill seemed to spread from the screen, as if to freeze him through his entire body. In his memory, even Muzan-sama’s thunderous rage had never brought him such coldness.

He had already witnessed her sword. Kokushibo thought he would no longer be afraid, but even through the screen, just looking at that aloof back… his skin instinctively tensed, as if countless tiny blades were running along his neck, ready to sever his head at any moment.

“…Fear?”

No, not only that.

Although his heart was pounding, the demon’s instincts were screaming wildly, but deep in his soul, another almost twisted desire was surging.

“I want to see… her sword again.”

The last time she drew her sword against Yanqing, he only caught a glimpse of the inverted flash of sword energy. But the trajectory of that sword still lingered in his mind—only the realm of that sword was the end he was willing to reach, even if it meant becoming a demon and spending hundreds of years.

——

「Jingliu sighed, “I thought the Imbibitor Lunae was gone forever. But returning to the Luofu, I saw you once again parting the sea and drawing the tides, it’s truly like a lifetime ago.”」

「Danheng didn’t want to associate himself too much with his past life as the Imbibitor Lunae, deliberately emphasizing to her that he was a different person now. Jingliu expressed understanding, but couldn’t help but ask, “Past sins are wiped clean, and now you’re just a nameless traveler… but can people really say goodbye to the past?”」

「“If I’m not mistaken, the Vidyadhara are unwilling to let the dragon veins die out, wanting the Imbibitor Lunae to be revived from the ashes, so they played some tricks to deceive the world during the molting ritual, turning you into this appearance.”」

「However, despite speaking so definitively, Jingliu didn’t continue to seek justice from him. Now she was just a criminal, only wanting to meet old friends she hadn’t seen in a long time, fulfilling the promise they made when their feelings were deep and sincere.」

「And she generously admitted that the letter on the train was indeed sent by her.」

「…」

「Meanwhile, in the Scalegorge Waterscape.」

「Luocha was being brought here by Jing Yuan for a joint trial. Being tried in such a magnificent landscape, Luocha was more than willing.」

「“The Stellaron descended, the Ambrosial Arbor revived, and the Sky-Faring Commission’s ferryman was replaced, his true identity being a Lord of Destruction.”」

「Jing Yuan slowly and methodically stated his recent itinerary and whereabouts, finally smiling slightly, “You sneaked into the Cloudford Prison during the chaos, but did nothing. Now you claim to be responsible for this Stellaron crisis, surrendering to take responsibility.”」

「“Strange, strange, your actions are truly puzzling.”」

「Luocha only said that he was entrusted to deliver a message and knew nothing about the secrets behind the Luofu. He did have something he was looking for when he entered the Cloudford Prison, but now it seemed that the Luofu didn’t have what he sought. He confessed his guilt because he was afraid of punishment. After all… he was just a mere merchant.”」

「“A mere merchant?” Jing Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head, “Mr. Luocha is joking. Do I need to detail everything you did in the Shackling Prison, the various past events you left behind in the Mask of Stars?”」

「“Or do you need me to say that tongue-twisting name?”」

——

Honkai Impact 3rd.

Inside Anti-Entropy Headquarters, Welt pushed up his glasses, his brow deeply furrowed, the gaze behind his lenses complex and heavy.

“Tch, although I thought Luocha was holding back a lot of bad intentions, I didn’t expect him to have done so many bad things. I… cough, I thought he had at least turned over a new leaf in another world.”

Tesla crossed her arms and snorted.

“Perhaps… this is the essence of this man.” After a moment of silence, Welt said, “No matter which world he is in, he will walk a similar path.”

“Presumably, the tongue-twisting name that General Jing Yuan mentioned, we can easily guess.”

“…Otto Apocalypse.”

Tesla glanced at him, then looked at Jing Yuan’s knowing expression on the screen, reminding him, “You don’t have to worry too much. Not to mention that you exist in the world in the screen, even if he really wants to do something bad, now that he has fallen into the hands of General Jing Yuan and the Xianzhou Alliance, he will definitely not be able to carry it out.”

“Yes, but I don’t doubt General Jing Yuan.”

Welt remained worried, “I’m just thinking that, with his style, being captured must be part of his plan. The thing he wants to do, which is worth so much effort, must be extraordinary. This man… is more worthy of a thorough interrogation than Kafka.”

——

「A hint of surprise flashed in Luocha’s eyes: “…Oh? As expected of the Divine Foresight General.”」

「Jing Yuan smiled slightly: “Likewise, likewise. Fortunately, I did some homework in advance, otherwise this conversation today would be a cold one.”」

「“Since the General thinks there is something suspicious, are you going to defend me and clear me of the suspicion of the Stellaron?”」

「Jing Yuan shook his head: “This is not up to me. This is a serious crime that could overthrow the Alliance. According to the law, you should be to the Xuling Xianzhou, accept a joint trial by the Ten-Lords Commission and the Seven Arbiter-Generals, and be subjected to eternal punishment.”」

「After hearing this, there was no trace of panic on Luocha’s face. He just looked up at the magnificent scenery of the Scalegorge Waterscape and smiled softly: “I heard her say that hundreds of years ago, the High-Cloud Quintet gathered here for a banquet.”」

「Luocha suddenly talked about the past of the High-Cloud Quintet, from Jingliu’s earth-shattering swordsmanship to the Dragon Lord’s wonderful cloud-singing techniques, the flight ace Baiheng’s astral-skiff skills to the craftsman Yingxing’s forging skills… and General Jing Yuan’s wise planning.」

「Being talked about the past in the Scalegorge Waterscape, Jing Yuan couldn’t help but lower his eyes, his expression solemn.」

「The past scenes were vivid in his mind, and the sounds of laughter and feasting were still in his ears. Even Jing Yuan, who had experienced thousands of sails, couldn’t help but feel a moment of sadness.」